About Us

 Deb Gosney brings nearly four decades of experience in regional community and economic development to her role as Executive Director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Southern and Southwest Virginia. Before joining FASS‑VA, she served as Executive Director of the Southside Planning District Commission, where she led organizational operations, budgeting, and staff development while advancing strategic initiatives across Southern Virginia. 

 Throughout her career, Deborah has cultivated strong partnerships with local governments, Planning District Commissions, and state and federal agencies. Her expertise in grant strategy and project development has resulted in numerous successful awards supporting infrastructure, business growth, and community revitalization.

A native of Mecklenburg County, Deborah understands the challenges of rural communities and is deeply committed to strengthening the Tobacco region’s capacity to compete for external funding and to fostering collaboration that drives long‑term impact. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance from Elon College.